I was asked by members of SCBWI’s Southern Breeze chapter to be a part of a panel discussion at the Decatur Public library. The Illustrator’s Day helped beginners and professionals gain insight in to the children’s book industry. Some of the other speakers for the day were Kelly Barrales-Saylor editor forAlbert Whitman & Company, and illustrators Elizabeth Dulemba and Peter Brown.

Soon after the event Kelly asked if I’d be interested in illustrating a book with her company showcasing Harlem’s Sugar Hill neighborhood. I jumped at the opportunity and soon began researching images and fashion from the 1920’s. I had just finished up It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Drawand was still excited about the flat graphic style I had used for that book. I brought this visual sentiments in to the art that I created for Sugar Hill.

The InspirationI’ve always have been inspired by any artist who can alter the human form with an eloquence and rhythm. in particular, Pablo Picasso, Romare Bearden, Ben Shahn, Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, Egon Schiele Bill Traylor, even painters who practiced their own form of realism like Lucien Freud or John Singer Sargent. I simply cant get away from the human form and portraiture.

Inspiration also comes from living life and keeping the balance of being social. How can you paint images of people if you never really try to know them? i inspire to get a gesture or expression “right” and so a lot of time is spent being cognizant of human behavior and interactions.

The Process: I suppose I’m a just go with it type of artist because I’m not able to completely see the end result before I begin things, i just simply just know the direction due to some very loose sketches. I tend to draw in front of a computer when doing historical books, because I really care about visual historical accuracy. I tend to really think about fashion social dynamics architecture, skin tone as well as facial expressions. I try to get out of my own head and imagine how a child, librarian , teacher and parent will respond to my image.

The Buzz

Sugar hill was well reviewed and even received a star review from Kirkus and recently the book has won the Best History/Non-fiction Picture Book of 2014 designation from the Huffington Post.

Under The Radar

Well I have to admit that I keep my head in the sand in regard to the industry, but I can say I often hear people tell me that they cant find good books with “us” or brown people in it. So I’d be remiss to not direct anyone reading this to Lee and Low Books as well as Just Us Books. There’s also Patrick Oliver of “Say it Loud,” Zetta Elliott’s Rosetta Press and Maya Gonzalez’s School of the Free Mind. If after all that ,you are still searching then be sure to see some of the not so under the radar talents. Shadra Stickland, Sean Qualls, Eric Velazquez, Shane Evans, Freddi Williams Evans,Tonya Bolden, Elbrite Brown I can go on and on but please be sure to especially check out the art of all the fine creators who put this invaluable blog together. It’s all top notch work and is out there for anyone who is interested.

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5 Responses to Day 4: R. Gregory Christie

[…] R. Gregory Christie is a multi-award author and illustrator. It is very fitting that the Brown Bookshelf features him in this campaign. Read about this award-winning author and illustrator here: https://thebrownbookshelf.com/2015/02/04/day-4-r-gregory-christie/ […]

I think that SUGAR HILL practically JUMPED out at me from shelves. It’s such a bold and evocative style for children’s lit, and I LOVE it. I think we can sometimes misunderstand that kids are ready for REAL art, and Mr. Christie brings it.

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The Brown Bookshelf is designed to push awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers. Our flagship initiative is 28 Days Later, a month-long showcase of the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult novels written and illustrated by Black creators.
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